The Sun Angel

by Ashley Martinez

  “Shh…” she said soothingly looking up to find the nest. She spotted it up high in the tree. “Would someone give me a boost?”

  “I will,” Lena jumped up from her rock and jogged over to her. “You do know that the mom bird is going to kill it if you put it back?”

  “No, she won’t,” Jenna answered, “she’s in the nest waiting for him.”

  “Whatever you say,” Lena muttered and boosted Jenna up into the tree.

  “Thanks,” Jenna grunted as she pulled herself up the rest of the way. She rested on a branch before climbing.

  “Be careful,” Lena called up to her.

  Climbing a tree with one hand was harder than Jenna thought it’d be. She was panting with the effort, and her progress was slow. Twice she slipped and almost fell, but the mama bird was calling out for her chick, and Jenna knew she had to bring her baby back. It gave her the strength to keep going.

  “Hello there, Mama,” Jenna said as she finally reached the nest. “I’ve got something of yours.”

  Slowly Jenna extended her hand with the baby bird and very carefully set the bird down in the nest. The mama bird looked at the baby for the longest time and Jenna was afraid Lena would be right.

  “He’s your baby,” Jenna said softly to the mama bird. “You need to take care of him. Help him grow big and strong.”

  The bird looked back up at Jenna and watched her for a few moments before pulling out a worm from the nest to feed to her babies. Jenna stayed a few minutes longer to make sure she’d feed the fallen baby. Satisfied the bird would be taken care of, she made her way back down the tree.

  Dropping to the ground Jenna straightened and dusted off her hands, “There.”

  “What was that?” Lena asked her.

  “What?”

  “Why did you do it?”

  “Everyone deserves a second chance,” she answered looking at Will, who stared back.

  “You were supposed to be resting, Jenna,” Will frowned. “We need to keep moving.”

  Lena grabbed the packs, “You okay?” she asked Jenna as she passed her.

  “I’m fine,” Jenna nodded still looking at Will.

  “Do you need me to carry you?” He asked holding out one hand.

  “No, I think I can manage, thank you.”

  “Whatever,” he shook his head and walked off.

  “How much further?” Lena hollered back.

  “Two miles,” Will answered.

  “Great, just what I wished for,” Lena mumbled.

  Jenna followed slowly behind so she could think. Why was Will being more distant than usual? Was it because she had asked him all those questions or because Lena called him a coward?

  Little did Jenna know that it was her display of affection with the baby bird that rattled him yet again. She continued to throw curve balls; he never knew how to react. Jenna repeatedly opened the door to his hope for them, and he didn’t know how to shut it. How could she affect him like this after so many years of torture? Was he so desperate for her affection that he’d immediately forgive her if she asked?

  He shook his head; he couldn’t let himself believe she cared for him like that, no matter how kind she was. He had to keep his plan in mind, and if his plan worked then she’d be dead and he wouldn’t have to worry about any feelings again.

  He glanced behind him to check on Jenna, but she was nowhere to be seen. Panic and irritation enveloped him.

  “Jenna?” He called out.

  “I’m here,” came her voice. It was tired and weak.

  Will rushed toward the sound of her voice and found her sitting on another fallen tree.

  “What are you doing?” He barked. She flinched at the harshness in his voice misunderstanding his fear for anger, a mistake he had no intention of correcting.

  “I’m sorry, I got tired and had to sit down.”

  “And you didn’t think to tell anyone?”

  “I was about to when you said my name,” Jenna retorted.

  “It’s getting dark; we need to get to the cabin.” Will held out his hand.

  She took it, and he pulled her up.

  “Do you need me to carry you?”

  Jenna nodded embarrassed, “If you don’t mind.”

  Will didn’t answer but instead picked her up and jogged up the trail to catch Lena who hadn’t bothered to wait for them.

  Jenna was quiet for the rest of the hike, which Will found relieving. He’d been afraid she’d ask more questions. He hated questions, especially Jenna’s. She always asked the wrong ones, or maybe they were the right ones. Either way he didn’t want to go through the pain of answering them. Reliving those memories reminded him of the hurt Jenna had caused him.

  “I see lights!” Lena exclaimed, picking up her pace.

  Will saw Jenna smile and instinctively smiled, too. She didn’t realize how beautiful she was when she smiled. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen her smile before he’d found her again.

  “I’m going to give your witch a piece of my mind when we see her,” Lena’s voice broke through Will’s thoughts and his smile turned into a frown.

  “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” he said. “On second thought, do. I’d love to see what she does to you.”

  Lena glared at him, “Go get our rooms, Dark One.”

  “Watch it,” Will snapped and opened the door to the office.

  “Good evening!” A woman sitting behind a desk looked up and smiled at them. “Newlyweds I presume?”

  “No,” Will laughed setting Jenna down.

  “Oh I’m sorry,” she apologized.

  “Don’t be,” Will smiled at her, “happens all the time.”

  “Well, my name is Lisa. Do you have a reservation?”

  “No, do you have any openings?”

  Lisa sucked in air, “Oh, dear. I’m afraid we don’t have any openings.”

  “Would you please check again?” Will held her gaze. “It’d be really helpful. We’re tired and only need a place to stay for tonight only.”

  “Jim, dear,” Lisa called out as she smiled at the both of them.

  “Yes?” The man named Jim came out wiping his hands with a towel.

  “Is cabin eight ready?”

  “Yes, but it’s reserved for the Stanton family tomorrow.”

  Lisa glanced at Will and smiled again, “Would you mind escorting these people to the cabin?”

  “But, Lisa-“

  “Please, sir,” Will interrupted. “We just need it for one night, and we’ll be out of here early.”

  “Well, okay, I guess,” he grunted. “I’ll go get my lantern.”

  Jim came out a few minutes later pulling on his coat, “Follow me, please.”

  “Where’s Lena?” Jenna whispered to Will.

  He shrugged, “Who cares?”

  “Will,” she scolded.

  “She’s around, don’t worry about her. She can take care of herself.”

  “Honeymooners?” Jim asked winking at Will.

  “No.”

  “Oh, just getting away then?”

  “You could say that.”

  “Well you’ll have a great time here. The Smokey’s are wonderful this time of year, just before the winter comes in.”

  “I bet,” Will nodded.

  “May I be bold and say you found yourself quite a looker,” Jim now winked at Jenna. “Absolutely beautiful. I can tell the two of you will last.”

  “Last?” Jenna asked confused about what he was saying but also why wasn’t he scared of her like everyone else she met? Was it because it was dark and he couldn’t see the gold in her eyes?

  “You’ll be together forever,” he laughed. “I can say this because I’ve been married for almost fifty years now.”

  “Congratulations,” Jenna said smiling while taking Will’s arm for support. “That’s wonderful.”

  “Marriage is overrated,” Will muttered.

  “No, sir, it’s not. When you find that one woman who you can
’t live without despite how angry she can make you, you’ll want to tie yourself to her in any way you can, and marriage is the strongest tie. Just you wait and see.”

  “I’ve done my seeing and to me, it’s not worth it,” Will answered.

  “Will, don’t be mean,” Jenna said quietly pulling on his arm.

  “Sorry,” he apologized looking at Jenna.

  Jim laughed, “See? She’s got you in the palm of her hand! Lisa does that to me too. Oh, young love.”

  “I don’t understand,” Jenna admitted.

  “Oh, nothing,” Jim waved away her confusion. “Just ramblings of an old man. Here we are!”

  “Thank you,” Jenna said as he opened the door for them.

  “Lights are here,” he said turning some on.

  “Thanks,” Will said still standing outside watching Jenna as she wandered into the cabin.

  “Son,” Jim placed his hand on his shoulder. “Don’t take her for granted. You’ll be lost without her love.”

  “Excuse me?” Will turned and looked at the man.

  He lowered his voice, “I can see the way she looks at you and you her. I might not know you personally, but I’m fairly good at reading people, and the two of you love each other even if you can’t see it yourself. Treat her right; she seems very fragile right now.”

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about, old man,” Will narrowed his eyes.

  “Maybe I don’t, or maybe I’m right and you don’t want to admit it,” Jim stepped back. “Have a nice night. You’re welcome to breakfast, but then you need to be on your way.”

  Will watched as Jim walked back the way they came, stewing over the things Jim said. He hadn’t been with them for more than ten minutes and had gotten on Will’s nerves. It wasn’t him personally; it was what he’d said. Will knew how he felt about Jenna, but there was no way they could be in love and survive. It was forbidden for a Night Angel to have any relations with a Sun Angel.

  As he stood looking out at the night, he noticed Lena walking up to them.

  “Where did you go?” he snapped.

  “None of you damn business, that’s where,” she retorted stalking past him and into the cabin.

  “Stupid, Guardian,” he muttered and followed her.

  Jenna took her bag from Lena and sat it on the table in the middle of the small, one room cabin. There was one bed in the far corner and a couch next the bed facing a small wooden stove. There was a small wash bin to the left of the door and no bathroom. Jenna was searching for something in the bag and Lena was lounging on the bed.

  “I’m going to check out the perimeter,” he told them.

  “Already did, genius,” Lena picked at her nails.

  “Oh I didn’t know you grew a pair of wings in the last twenty four hours,” Will said sarcastically. “In case you forgot, things can fly to us.”

  “Whatever,” she rolled her eyes.

  “Knock it off, you guys,” Jenna said pulling out her pajamas. “Can I go with you, Will?”

  “Can you fly?”

  She looked down, “No, but I was kind of hoping you’d fly me.”

  “Keep hoping,” Will said and turned.

  “You see,” Jenna said rushing over to Will, “I still don’t really know if I’m dreaming. It’s all strange and fairytale-like. You told me you’d show me your wings later.”

  “Yeah,” Will put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her gently back. “I said later. Not now.”

  “But-“

  “Jenna, I said no.”

  “Okay,” she her lip trembled slightly. She pulled away from Will and went back searching through her bag again, not looking up.

  Will sighed heavily, “Jenna, I’m sorry.”

  She ignored him.

  “Jenna, you might want to say something,” Lena smirked at him. “Will never apologizes. Ever.”

  Jenna took a deep breath and looked up at Will. He could see the tears she was holding back, “It’s okay, Will. Just go do your thing.”

  He nodded and left the cabin. Jogging into the trees, he spread his wings and jumped into the air. He circled the cabin first, not sensing anything he widened his search all the while thinking about Jenna.

  She had healed that bird but how he didn’t know. Could her powers be slipping out on their own? He also wondered if she’d had anymore dreams about her memories.

  Will was so deep in thought he almost missed the Griffin flying towards him. He could tell the Griffin hadn’t noticed him yet, so he flew higher to watch where he was going. Will had a feeling it wasn’t here by coincidence. The Griffin flew closer, and Will was able to see it was a pure black one. His stomach dropped; it wasn’t just any Griffin-- it was Silas’s personal pet. What was it doing way out here? Unless…Silas had found Jenna.

  Will raced back to the cabin, passing the Griffin unnoticed. He landed and was inside with the door closed with the Griffin still a mile away.

  “Turn off the lights,” He commanded.

  The girls obeyed without question.

  “Jenna, I need you by me,” he said looking out the window. He could see a tiny speck that was the Griffin.

  “I can’t see; it’s too dark,” she whispered.

  He turned to watch her walking into a table. She rubbed her hip muttering. Will could see Lena next to her, but it wasn’t in a protective stance; it was more like she was hiding behind her. He moved over to her and took her hand and pulled her behind him as he looked out the window again.

  “What’s going on?” Jenna asked. She was shaking a little from fear.

  “It’s a Griffin.”

  “Griffin?”

  “Yes, Jenna, they’re real, but this isn’t just any Griffin.”

  “It’s Silas’s,” Lena said from the front door.

  Will gave her a peculiar look, wondering how she’d known, “Yes,” he said slowly, “I’m not sure where he’s headed, but we need to lay low. Griffins can be pretty mean, but they can also be fooled. We need to stay as quiet as possible. No sudden movements, no talking; if he can’t sense us, then he’ll leave.”

  Jenna shivered, “I’m not sure I like this.”

  “No one does,” he answered.

  “Why don’t you just kill it?”

  “I would except Silas’s Griffin is well protected by enchantments meaning it can’t be killed.”

  “It can be killed, just not by you,” Lena corrected.

  “Why not?” Jenna asked.

  Will groaned, “I’ll tell you later. He’s closing in. Be quiet.”

  They stood in silence as the Griffin thudded heavily onto the ground just outside the front door. Will could feel Jenna trembling and pulled her closer. He didn’t want the Griffin to sense her fear, so he’d have to mask it with his strength.

  She buried her face in his shoulder and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. It surprised him but he was also growing to expect the rush that came when she was close. As much as he tried, Will couldn’t deny he liked it.

  He tried to focus on the Griffin as best as he could, but it was hard when he wanted to stroke Jenna’s hair.

  The beast made its way around the cabin. Will leaned away from the window shielding Jenna’s brightness with his darkness. The Griffin paused and breathed in deeply. It growled a lion’s growl, but didn’t do anything. It stood at the window for five minutes before flying away.

  Will continued to hold Jenna close until the Griffin was long gone. He quickly pulled away from her, trying to close the door of hope she continually opened.

  “Will he be back?” Jenna asked.

  “I don’t think so, but we need to be careful,” Will said. “Both of you go to bed. I’ve got the first watch.”

  Chapter Nine

  Jenna was running down a dark street. All of the street lamps were out and no lights were on in any of the houses. She could feel something closing in on her causing her skin to prickle with fear. Picking up her pace she sprinted calling out for help.


  “Please!” she screamed. “Somebody help me!”

  No one answered, nothing even moved. Jenna could feel herself slowing from exhaustion. She paused, unable to run any further. Doubling over she gasped for breath. She heard a dog howling.

  Whirling around, she saw someone standing at the corner. He was facing her, watching her every move. Somehow she knew he was the thing chasing her.

  Stumbling backwards, Jenna began running again, ignoring the fire in her muscles. She couldn’t let herself get caught.

  She took a chance and glanced back; the man was gone. It didn’t relieve her of fear; in fact it caused her throat to tighten up. Where did he go?

  Hands came out of nowhere and shoved her down to the ground. She grunted in surprise and pain as she hit the ground. Rolling onto her back, she found herself staring up at the man. He was in a dark suit and wore dark sunglasses. His face was expressionless as he leaned over her.

  “What do you want?” Jenna tried kicking the man, but he grabbed her leg and snapped it.

  She screamed in agony as he dropped her now broken leg. He reached out to touch her forehead, and Jenna closed her eyes. His hand was cold when it made contact. Immediately Jenna’s brain felt scrambled. It didn’t hurt, but it also didn’t feel comfortable. Before she could even attempt to push him away he was gone.

  Jenna looked around her as she wiped tears off her face. Her leg ached and her head hurt. She called out for help again but still no one came or answered. She began dragging herself to a fence so she could rest against it. Every time she moved, her leg screamed in protest.

  “Don’t move,” a deep voice ordered.

  She froze thinking the man had come back to finish her. Scared to look around but unable to stop herself, she looked to her left and saw a man standing in the darkest shadows. It wasn’t the man who’d been chasing her; he had a different build.

  “Who are you?” her voice shook a little.

  “That doesn’t matter,” he said and stepped toward her.

  She shivered, “What are you going to do to me?”

  “Nothing,” he paused “Yet.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Don’t worry about it,” he came toward her until he was standing directly above her.

  “Are you going to hurt me?” she whispered, never having been so scared.